Bally trainer helps save man's life

The Oakland Press/JOSE JUAREZ
Stephen Gauthier (right), who is a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness in Waterford Township, shows off an AED device to General Manager Elvis Bracanovic. Gauthier said that because Bally had an AED on site, it helped save a man who had collapsed recently from a heart attack.

Personal trainer Stephen Gauthier, 25, was across the gym at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21 when he heard a woman scream. "I saw a man on the floor and rushed over to him," said Gauthier, who has worked at Bally Total Fitness in Waterford Township for 18 months.

Gauthier -- who is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) -- then proceeded to save the life of a 57-year-old man who suffered a cardiac arrest.

The man had been working out on a treadmill. Gauthier of White Lake didn't know the man personally. He quickly assessed the situation and paramedics were called. The man was unconscious, not breathing and he had a faint pulse.

When Gauthier checked the pulse again 30 seconds later, he found no heartbeat.

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"I got the AED on him," he said. The device gives audible instructions. "It told me what to do," he said. He gave the victim a shock.

"I started doing chest compressions and we got a heart rate," he said.

A member of the health club assisted, blowing air into the victim's lungs. When the AED was placed on the victim again, there was no heartbeat.

"We shocked him again," Gauthier said.

By the time Waterford paramedics arrived, the victim had a heartbeat but he couldn't breathe on his own. The man was rushed to a hospital. He is now off a ventilator and recovering, officials said. During the experience, Gauthier was focused, he said.

"I was just concerned about continuing and getting a heartbeat back. I was working on adrenaline," he said.

Once it was over, Gauthier left the gym for awhile.

"I had to get myself back together," he said. "It was a scary situation."

Gauthier, originally from Alpena, has experience working as an athletic trainer and as a coach. He was glad he was available that day. He noted, "Usually I take that hour and let my German shepherd out."

Lt. Steve Bridger, with the Waterford Fire Department, praised the entire Bally crew. He said, "The staff did an exceptional job."